Weapons

The gear in Borderlands is randomized, with any number of subtle customizations and variations in the base stats. Because of this it boasts a seemingly infinite number of guns, but it has a finite number of ammo types, and these break down into broad classes of weaponry.

Within these classes you may find other specific advantages and disadvantages. For example, some weapons offer a scope with excellent zoom, while others might contain elemental properties that make them extra effective against certain enemy types.

Repeater Pistols

These are the most basic, well-rounded weapons you can find. They offer a moderate rate of fire and modest damage, along with good accuracy. You'll probably make good use of repeaters early in your journey, but as you progress, they'll become less relevant as more specialized weaponry becomes available.

Combat Rifles

Boasting a high rate of fire averaging between 5 and 10 rounds per second, and very high bullet velocity, Combat Rifles are frequently the mid-range weapon of choice. They have a mean recoil, which can make them less effective at long range, but Soldiers in particular are able to neutralize this effect to some extent through mods and skills, and so they will often favor these weapons.

SMGs

These lightweight handguns can chew through enemies at mid-range. They typically boast a higher fire rate and lower damage per round than Combat Rifles, but they have similar application. SMGs tend to be a bit more accurate, and with a scope they can be surprisingly effective at longer ranges.

Shotguns

Shotguns are low accuracy, high spread weapons that get more effective at closer ranges. Shotguns can frequently be some of the most devastating weapons in the game, but are handicapped by their ineffectiveness at long range. Despite this, you can sometimes find very accurate shotguns equipped with scopes. These may not be able to make it to long range, but they can still be effective at mid-range. The shotgun is best paired against aggressive enemies like Skags and Spiderants that are almost always fought at closer ranges. Shotguns are also characterized by relatively low magazine size, making accuracy important despite the broad spread.

Revolver

These pistols are extremely powerful and quite accurate, making them a favorite for those that like shooting sniper rifles from the hip. They tend to have a bit lower damage than sniper rifles, but also a higher fire rate and better capacity. These are a favorite among skilled players who have strong aiming abilities and like to go for criticals.

Sniper Rifle

The long range weapon par choice. These almost (but not quite) always pack good scopes, and boast devastating damage for their level. The trade off is, of course, a very low fire rate, and a low magazine capacity and overall capacity. Unlike their equivalents in many other games, Sniper Rifles do not have much recoil, and can be fired nicely from the hip, making them effective at close ranges in certain situations.

Rocket Launchers

Rockets deliver the heaviest damage of any weapon in the game, and they frequently pack good scopes for longer ranges, but they have very low fire rates, and are very dangerous to use at mid-range. Elemental rocket launchers can be especially devastating because it makes splash damage considerably more dangerous. Rocket Launchers tend to be some of the most unique in their firing patterns. Some fire in an arc like mortars, while others may "burst fire" several shots at once. When you find these in the wild, it's often good to try them out rather than judge them strictly by their stats.

Eridian Weapons

The rarest of all weapons on Pandora. These weapons boast infinite ammo, which make them excellent backups in any situation. They can, however, drain their charge and force you to wait a few second, so they're not ideal for longer fights where you need a lot of sustained firepower. There are a couple unique Eridian weapons you'll pick up from bosses like the Reaver and Master McCloud, but you may also find them in the wild if you're very lucky. Their particular type of fire tends to vary greatly. Never pass one of these up.